This is cut and pasted from my Lalitā Sahasranāma.Turya is the fourth state of consciousness, the other three being awake, dream and deep sleep. Turya stage transcends all the above three stages by bundling them out. The level of consciousness at turya stage is very close to the stage of blissfulness, derived from experiment and observation rather than theory. Turyātīta is the stage where one’s consciousness transcends turya stage. In this stage of blissful consciousness, the Brahman is realised where one feels that “I am That” or aham brahmāsmi. The final stage of merging into the Brahman is kaivalya, when a soul ceases to transmigrate.There is nothing beyond this. What happens if one transcends turya state? The self is replaced by SELF. This transformative realization happens in a fraction of a second where near death-like situation is experienced. One is not the same person after that ‘second’.The bliss is the penultimate stage of the final salvation. Such a sort of bliss can be experienced only during the last stages of merger into the Brahman, the final stages of liberation, the state of kaivalya.They are sālokya, sarūpa, samībha and sāyujya. Beyond this is kaivalya. Sālokya is the stage where one performs ritual worship, worshipping idols or portraits of gods. In sarūpa he leaves idol worship and does not differentiate himself from god. In samībha he goes near the god and in sāyujya stage he merges with god. These are the stages of one’s consciousness that finally lead to kaivalya. One has to progress from one stage to another and this progression happens depending upon the level of spirituality. By being spiritual does not mean one has to be religious. Spirituality transcends religious affinities, though religion forms the foundation of spirituality.

SirIs there different stages of self-realisation before Atma becomes JivanMukta? If so what are those.

Yes. Your understanding is absolutely correct.

Sir I have a query on astrology and liberation.If a person has some planets in 8th house which indicates past life Sin,will that affect his effort on reaching liberation .As per my understanding, he will suffer according to his karma but his atma will not be affected and can reach high spiritual level due to his intense bhakthi in this birth. Is my understanding correct?

thanks a lot for the short version of navavarna pooja.

thanks a lot for the short version of navavarna pooja.

Pained to know this. But birth and death depends upon karmic account. No body knows how one is reborn, where, etc. If karma of both of you permits, this is possible.

My wife passed away at the age of 32. Even till her last breath she wanted to live her life with me, she fought death to the extent she could. The relationship of husband and wife is only for one janma or I can expect to fulfill her wishes in the next janma as husband and wife again ?

There is no way we can draw a comparison to Bhisma. What I have said here is related to normal human beings. Further, there are bound to be differences between any two Sacred Scriptures on the explanation, though, the essence of their revelations remain the same. The views expressed are not mine, but that of Sacred Upanishads. Normal human beings surely cannot decide their death, whereas great sages and saints can decide their death.

If what you said it correct, in Mahabharath why Bhishma who had the Vara of Ichcha Mrithyu waited for the Uththarayana to come and then only passed away. Was he not aware the concept that you have mentioned. Could you quote some document to substantiate your views.- - - P.Mohan Ram